Tennis practice device



July 19, 1955 G. A. JAEDIKER 2,713,487

TENNIS PRACTICE DEVICE Filed Sept. 20, 1952 [7/ [LK/7 F/G. 2 25 INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 2,713,487 Patented July 19, 1955 TENNIS PRACTICE DEVICE George Alon Jaediker, Rego Park, N. Y.

Application September 20, 1952, Serial No. 310,620

4 Claims. (Cl. 273-29) This invention relates to a ball return device and more particularly concerns a device for positioning a ball which is to receive the impact of a tennis racket, the hand or the like, thereby facilitating teaching, practice and exercise in connection with the games of tennis, handball or the like.

An object of this invention is to provide improved means for positioning a ball which is to receive the impact of a racket, paddle, the hand or the like and to direct the same towards the horizontal with a return to its original position, such means adding a minimum amount of inertia to the ball in the movement thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described which includes light members of simple construction, which may be readily disassembled to form a compact package when not in use and quickly assembled for use.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a device of the character described improved means for positioning the ball in a manner to reduce the wear thereof and to allow ready replacement when necessary.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described which provides means for simulating the bounce of a ball with a controllable timing of successive bounces.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described wherein the positioned ball is returned to its original position each time it receives the impact of a racket, paddle or the like, thereby allowing the person wielding the racket to develop a proper swing, timing of the bounces, aim at the ball, proper holding of the racket as well as an improved form of general exercise.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists of the elements of construction, arrangement of parts and the interaction thereof which will be exemplified in the embodiment hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the claims following.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a ball return device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view thereof.

Referring in detail to the drawing, designates a ball return device embodying the invention. The same comprises a base 11 which may take the form of a pair of elongated members 12, 13 of wood, metal or the like, which are detachably attached in a T shape, as by a screw and wing nut 14.

On the base 11 is pivotally mounted a ball positioning means generally designated at 15. Such means comprises a pair of fairly stifi wires 16 of a selected diameter, the wires including intermediate portions 17 in substantially parallel relation which may be twisted together at 18 to maintain their relative spacing. Extending from the lower ends of wire portions 17 are offset, inwardly extending portions 19 which may be interconnected as at 20.

The offset wire arm portions 19 may be suitably spaced to receive therebetween the base member 12, with the portion 20 in contact with the undersurface of the member and suitably located adjacent the interconnection of the base members. A pair of staples 21 engaging the wire portion 20 and driven into base member 12 are adapted to mount the means 15 for reciprocatory pivotal movement.

Extending from the upper ends of wire portions 17 are a pair of outwardly offset, substantially parallel arm portions 22 which include inwardly directed terminal ends 23. A ball B is adapted to be pierced with axially located openings for receiving the terminal ends or prongs 23. A spring 24 with the opposite ends thereof slidably mounted on arm portions 22, is adapted to urge the terminal ends 23 toward each other. When mounting the ball B, the spring 24 is moved downwardly to allow the arm portions 22 to be spread apart and to permit the terminal ends 23 thereof to be inserted in the openings in the ball. The spring 24 is thereafter moved upwardly toward the mounted ball, the tension on the spring being sufficient to prevent accidental displacement of the ball positioning arms.

A cross member 25 interconnects the wire portions 17 at the lower ends thereof and provides means for securing thereto one end of a spring 26, the other end of which may be anchored by the screw and nut 14. The spring 26 is adapted to urge the ball positioning means to a substantially vertical position with the arms 22 in a forward position. The ball B is rotatably related to the supporting terminal ends 23.

When the ball B is struck by a racket or paddle, not

shown, the positioning means is readily pivoted about the transverse portion 20 thereof so that the ball moves in an arcuate path towards the horizontal and may strike the base member 12. The rebound of the ball is a substantial reproduction of a true bounce, due to the lever action of the wires 16 and the action of spring 26. The ball is thus returned to its identical original position at which time it may be struck again and again. In this way one may practice in an improved manner swing of the racket, timing, aim at the ball and the like, Without having to be concerned about the positioning of the ball.

The speed of return of the ball may be varied by using springs 26 of selected tension or by providing a spring whose tension may be suitably varied. Furthermore, the location of the pivotal portion of means 15 and the angular relation of wire portions 17, 19 may be so determined as to provide a sufiiciently slow return of the ball thereby allowing for reasonable backswing of the player.

With the ball in a constant normal position, the player does not have to cramp or overextend his striking arm with variations thereof. The use of the device of theinvention facilitates the development of proper arm swing, focusing on the ball, judgment of timing the bounce, striking the ball at the proper time during the course of its bounce, proper positioning of the racket or paddle, as well as means for conditioning and exercising the involved muscles of the player.

It will be apparent that there has been provided an improved ball return device in which the several objects of the invention have been achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible changes might be made in the embodiment of the invention set forth without departing from the spirit thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein shown or described is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 7

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent:

1. A ball return device comprising a base, ball mounting means including a pair of substantially parallel, stifl wire members having inturned portions at one end thereof pivotally mounted on said base and inturned portions extending toward each other at the other end thereof for fixedly supporting a ball, a spring member connected at one end to said base and at the other end to said wire members adjacent the pivoted portion thereof.

2. A ball return device as in claim 1, and further including resilient means interconnecting said wire members adjacent the other ends thereof for urging said second mentioned wire portions toward each other.

3. A ball return device comprising a base, a pair of elongated, substantially parallel Wire members having their lower ends pivotally connected to said base, said members normally extending vertically upward from said base, the upper end of each member being bent at right angles to provide horizontal axial portions extending toward each other for fixedly supporting a ball, means intermediate the ends of said members for maintaining 4- the spacing of said members, and spring means connecting said base and said members for restoring said members to a vertical position after said members have exccuted pivotai movement toward said base.

4. A ball return device comprising a base member including an elongated member, ball supporting means pivotally mounted on said base member and including a pair of parallel, upstanding stifi? wire members, said wire members having short, bent parallel portions respectively located on either side of said elongated member, a transverse portion interconnecting said bent portions, means pivotally mounting said transverse portion on said elongated member, said Wire members further including at the upper ends thereof inwardly turned portions extending toward each other for fixedly mounting a ball between said wire members.

Moseley Dec. 11, 1951 Sonnett Oct. 27, 1953 

